on Ramadan, French football lagging behind – Libération

Muslim footballers playing in France must adapt their fast to their sporting practice. Elsewhere in Europe, the federations are more open.

Ramadan has once again invited itself to the French football table. During the gathering of French football teams in Clairefontaine, the federation decided not to adapt to Muslim players who practice fasting. A semi-surprise. Already last year, Eric Borghini, member of the executive committee of the FFF and president of the federal arbitration commission, affirmed a position of respect for secularism by the federation: “The idea is that there is a time for everything. A time to play sports, a time to practice your religion,” he explained. Every year, the same subject comes up, like a refrain. For 2024, the FFF sets a framework of neutrality concerning the practice of Ramadan, in accordance with the public service missions entrusted to it, such as the organization of championships.

A decision which had the effect of provoking reactions among supporters, footballers but also from former players. “That you deny them facilities in the lifestyle they have chosen, I can understand it, but no… You want to forbid him from being a Muslim,” declared Demba Ba on Xformerly of Chelsea and Senegalese international.

From next Monday, in the middle of the month of Ramadan, the National Football Center located in Clairefontaine will welcome the U23s led by Thierry Henry, who are starting their preparation for the Olympic Games, the U19s who are participating in the Elite Tour of the European championship, or the U17s who compete in the Elite Tour of the European Championship in England. However, “no specific rule modifying the collective organization of training courses and team matches is taken in connection with religious practice,” indicates the federation. In practice, the staff of the French teams therefore have the rule not to modify the conditions of the training courses of the French teams. Concretely, the FFF will not change the session times, meetings and snacks either. Players must adapt. After discussions with their staff, international Muslims are asked to postpone their fasting days outside of international training courses. This will allow them to stay in good shape to carry out their sporting activities. They will therefore make up (or not) the days of non-fasting after Ramadan. There will also be no breaking of the fast during a match, unlike what is done in other countries.

In the United Kingdom, for example, during the 2023 Premier League championship, referee organizations authorized the interruption of the match at sunset in order to allow practicing players to break their fast. It all started in 2021 with a memorable scene, during a meeting between Leicester and Crystal Palace. The referee allowed Wesley Fofana to hydrate during a stoppage in play, scheduled for, in the 34th minute. “It’s the best moment of my life, because I didn’t expect this gesture,” the French footballer confided to the Foot Mercato site. A year later, the same scene occurred in Germany, where footballer Moussa Niakhaté saw a Bundesliga match interrupted to allow him to break his fast. “I want to remember this magnificent gesture!” he commented.